Some genocide survivors have objected to dropping capital punishment saying it acts as a strong deterrent.

The BBC's Geoffrey Mutagoma in the capital, Kigali, says that over the last couple of months the justice ministry has been holding public consultations around the country about dropping the death penalty.

"The consultations that we have held since October showed us that Rwandans favour the abolition of the punishment," Mr Karugarama told AFP news agency.

"I cannot decide for parliament, but given the support for the abolition, I hope that they will vote for the law," he said.